CVE-2011-4053 in IGSS
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in 7-Technologies (7T) Interactive Graphical SCADA System (IGSS) before 9.0.0.11291 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse DLL in the current working directory.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4053 represents a critical untrusted search path issue within the 7-Technologies Interactive Graphical SCADA System IGSS version 9.0.0.11291 and earlier. This flaw resides in the system's dynamic link library loading mechanism, where the software fails to properly validate the source and integrity of dynamically loaded modules. The vulnerability specifically affects the software's handling of the current working directory during DLL resolution processes, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can place specially crafted Trojan horse DLL files in the same directory as legitimate executable files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper library loading practices that follow the standard Windows DLL search order without adequate validation mechanisms. When IGSS executes, it searches for required DLL dependencies in a specific order including the current working directory, system directories, and PATH environment variables. This search behavior creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks, as local users can manipulate the DLL loading process by placing malicious libraries in the current working directory. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-426 Untrusted Search Path, which describes the risk of executing unintended code due to insecure library loading practices.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to industrial control systems and SCADA environments where IGSS is deployed. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this weakness to elevate their access rights within the system, potentially gaining unauthorized control over critical infrastructure operations. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data integrity compromise, system availability disruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive operational parameters. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the IGSS process, which typically runs with elevated permissions due to its role in industrial control systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires local system access and involves placing a malicious DLL file in the directory from which the IGSS application is executed. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it leverages the system's trust in local directories to execute unauthorized code. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure library loading that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and secure coding practices. Organizations using IGSS should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch, implementing proper directory permissions, and conducting security audits of the system's library loading mechanisms. Additionally, network segmentation and privilege separation measures should be enforced to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in industrial environments where SCADA systems operate with critical infrastructure dependencies.